Novak Djokovic and Grigor Dimitrov have been friends for years, battling at tournaments but enjoying the time off the court. The Serb and the Bulgarian met in Sofia on Tuesday night, embracing an exhibition in Arena Sofia and giving the crowd something to cheer about. Dimitrov prevailed 6-4, 2-6, 10-6, with the young Bulgarian player taking the last point instead of the home favorite. After the encounter, two great friends visited a club in Sofia for the after-party, joined by the umpire Marijana Veljovic and Dani Vallverdu. Grigor faced issues in the third game of the match, fending off multiple break points before hitting a double fault, falling 2-1 behind. The home favorite pulled the break back in the next one after the Serb’s forehand error, locking the result at 2-2 and returning to the positive side. The host grabbed the fifth game with a touchy volley before the 24-time Major winner closed the next one at love with a service winner.
Novak Djokovic & Grigor Dimitrov, Sofia 2024© Stream screenshot
Grigor Dimitrov and Novak Djokovic played an exhibition match in Sofia.
Dimitrov made a promising start in the ninth game and closed it with a perfect half-volley winner, moving 5-4 in front and keeping the pressure on the other side. Grigor created a set point on the return in the tenth game with a drop shot winner and converted it with a forehand crosscourt winner, gathering a 6-4 advantage and moving closer to the finish line. The Bulgarian held in the first game of the second set, and the Serb responded with a service winner in the next one for 1-1. The 24-time Major winner secured the fourth game with a forehand winner and took charge on the return. Novak clinched a break in the fifth game after the rival’s backhand error and held in the next one after Grigor’s loose backhand, opening a 4-2 advantage.
Grigor Dimitrov & Novak Djokovic, Sofia 2024© Stream screenshot
Djokovic painted a backhand down the line winner in the seventh game, generating a break chance and drawing the opponent’s error for another break and a 5-2 lead. The legend served for the set in the eighth game and wrapped it up with a service winner, introducing the match tie break. Dimitrov fell 3-1 behind, and world no. 4 held the advantage with a service winner in the sixth point. The home favorite pulled the mini-break back, reducing the deficit to 4-3 and moving in front after taking two points on serve. Novak sprayed a forehand error at 5-5, and Grigor clinched two points on serve for an 8-5 advantage. The Bulgarian cracked a backhand down the line winner for 9-6 and three match points. The promising local junior played the final point, landing a forehand winner and leading his compatriot toward the triumph.